The Academy is therefore hosting the 10th ASSAf Presidential Roundtable Discussion to “reflect on the state of higher education in South Africa and other concerns in higher education”. The narrow focus will be on assassinations of university staff over the past few years, which seem to have escalated in recent times. The Panellists include Prof Nomalanga Mkhize (Head of Department: History and Political Studies, Nelson Mandela University), Prof Mohamed Saleem Badat (Research Professor: College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal) and Prof Themba Mosia (Vice-Principal, University of Pretoria).

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) runs these series of ASSAf Presidential Roundtables on Science, Scholarship and Society bi-annually and are hosted and moderated by ASSAf’s President, Prof Jonathan Jansen. The roundtables are an evidence-based dialogue that brings together experts and stakeholders to address critical issues affecting society at large and are of interest to a broad audience.

Freedom of speech encompasses freedom of research and is an important component of any democracy. Health research, and communication around this research, have contributed to strengthening South Africa's democracy. Generally, COVID-19 research has been well disseminated and discussed openly, between scientists, civil society and government. To this extent, COVID-19 related health research can be said […]